Ok, my sister lives in Michigan and just got her own place. She can't afford cable and at the moment can't use her TV. I told her she needs an antenna to at least get the local channels and she said she is pretty sure that all of Michigan's TV is digital and she thinks an antenna won't help, that she'll need some kind of converter. Does anyone know if that is true? Will an antenna work or does she have to get this converter? Thanks in advance!
2007-10-03 07:34:29 · 4 answers · asked by mageta8 6 in Consumer Electronics ➔ TVs
You'd be surprised of what you can pick up with a pair of rabbit ears.
All broadcast stations must broadcast analog signals until February 2009 when the digital platform will be standard.
The converter you are referring to is to turn digital signals to analog and to my knowledge they are not being manufactured yet for the U.S. market as Congress decides if the government will help pay for some of the costs.
Unless she lives 50+ miles outside a major city, an antenna will work fine.
2007-10-03 07:43:54 · answer #1 · answered by greentadpole 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The old analog channels are still alive & well in MI and the rest of the US and will be untill 2/17/2009.
As to what kind of antenna she needs, that depends on where she is located relative to the nearest TV broadcasting antennas. Entering her location at the web site below will give you a good idea of what sort of antenna she needs.
Asking neighbors what their experience has been is an even better way.
Any antenna that gets good analog TV signals (particularly UHF channels 14-69) should be fine for when she makes the move to digital TV. She will probably get some BS about needing a "HD antenna" for digital signals. This is just marketing hype; the antennas treat analog and digital broadcasts in an identical fashion.
In Jan 08 the government is going to start giving out coupons that will allow people to buy digital converter boxes for about $20. These will tune in all analog and digital broadcasts and display them on the old non-digital TVs.
2007-10-03 15:34:12 · answer #2 · answered by Stephen P 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, the antenna should work. Digital stations/signals are not in effect (totally) until Feb 17, 2009.
2007-10-03 14:40:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No it's not true and on top of that if she has an HDTV she will receive the HD signal as well.
2007-10-03 15:25:51 · answer #4 · answered by m_c_m_a_n 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋